Hyatt announced its incorporation of room keys in Apple Wallet, the first for any hotel brand internationally. The room keys in Apple Wallet will help deliver a smooth, contactless experience for guests from check-in to check-out, as well as providing additional privacy benefits and security.

This new feature will first appear at several Hyatt U.S. hotels, including Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort, Hyatt House Chicago/West Loop-Fulton Market, Hyatt Centric Key West Resort & Spa, Hyatt House Dallas/Richardson, Hyatt Place Fremont/Silicon Valley and Hyatt Regency Long Beach. Eventually, Hyatt Hotels plans on implementing this feature across all Hyatt properties worldwide. 

“Like everything we do at Hyatt, our approach to technology always includes listening to our guests and members. We heard that they want access to be near-instantaneous. Room keys in Apple Wallet is an easy, convenient and secure room key option for our guests when they travel,” said Julia Vander Ploeg, senior vice president and global head of digital and technology, Hyatt.

The Apple Wallet feature will contain an Express Mode for all guests to access their room key without needing to unlock their device. After the room key is added to Apple Wallet on Apple Watch or iPhone, guests simply need to hold their device near the door’s lock to access key card-protected areas.

The ease of the room key in Apple Wallet also allows guests a contactless experience. After completing a reservation on the Hyatt app and checking in, the room key in Apple Wallet activates immediately so guests can go straight to their rooms. Additionally, guests don’t need to visit the front desk to make changes to their room. Any changes, such as extending a stay or requesting a late check-out, can be done through the room key in Apple Wallet.

“We are proud to work with Apple to launch this game-changing digital experience. Many consumer technologies evolve through a ‘tipping point’ that drives a change in adoption,” said Ploeg. “We believe our collaboration with Apple on this new approach to room keys in Apple Wallet can be exactly that.”

The added privacy and security that comes with the room key in Apple Wallets is another benefit. The details of a guest’s room key in Apple Wallet, including when and where it is accessed, is never shared with Apple or stored on Apple servers.

The Apple Wallet room key is not the only new feature from Hyatt. The hotel brand also came out with digital solutions for a better experience for each guest. A recent collaboration with delivery service Gopuff has allowed guests to have everyday items delivered directly to them at participating hotels. Hyatt also plans to launch Two-Way Hotel Chat, a Medallia Zingle-powered intelligent messaging technology to provide personalized communication between guests and hotel colleagues.

Hyatt also partnered with Chromecast for guests to enjoy streaming services in the comfort of their own rooms. Apps like Netflix, Disney+ and YouTube are just some of the preferred apps available in room at participating hotels.

Do you think more hotels should take advantage of Apple Wallet or other electronic services for the use of room keys? Are you more likely to stay at the Hyatt with this new feature? Tell us your thoughts. Email us at letters@globaltravelerusa.com. Please include your full name and location.